Sabah have won six of seven matches since the start of the season
Hapoel Be’er Sheva have scored in each of their last 12 matches
Recommended bet: Sabah to qualify
History is in the making for either Hapoel Be’er Sheva or Sabah, who are both battling to make it through the Champions League qualifying process for the first time.
Hapoel are hoping it is a case of third time lucky after twice falling at the play-off round stage.
They lost 5-4 on aggregate to Celtic in 2016 and were ousted by Maribor the following year — drawing 2-2 on aggregate but losing out due to the away goals rule.
Sabah are newer to the European scene having only been founded in 2017.
The Owls have progressed rapidly and were crowned Azerbaijan champions for the first time last season after finishing nine points above Qarabag.
The first of two legs takes place on neutral soil at Rapid Bucharest’s Rapid-Giulesti Stadium, but next Tuesday’s return match in Baku will be a more partisan affair with Sabah enjoying the lion's share of support.
The latest Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Sabah odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Injuries are hampering Hapoel, who must make do without Djibril Diop, Pedro Amador (both unspecified) and Joao Victor (hamstring). Key attacker Dan Biton (heart) hasn’t featured for over four months.
Sabah are expected to be without winger Khayal Aliyev, who sustained a tendon injury while featuring for the Azerbaijan national team in a summer friendly against Malta.
The latest Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Sabah odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Seven of Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s last eight European games have featured fewer than three goals.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva have kept six clean sheets in their last eight European fixtures.
Four of Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s last seven European home matches have finished goalless.
Sabah have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches.
Seven of Sabah’s last eight European games have featured fewer than four goals.
Sabah have won 11 matches in Europe and five of those successes have been by a 2-0 scoreline.
The latest Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Sabah odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Sabah have overcome the opening three obstacles of their maiden Champions League campaign and they can make it through to the League Phase by overcoming Hapoel Be’er Sheva in a well-matched tie.
Hapoel sprang a surprise with their 3-0 aggregate triumph over Crvena Zvezda, but another tough challenge awaits them against Sabah, who reached a high level of consistency to edge aside Qarabag in the 2025-26 Azerbaijan title race.
It is worth remembering that Qarabag reached the Champions League knockout stages last season after winning three of eight games in the League Phase
Sabah have excelled to finish above a team of Qarabag’s quality and they can follow in their domestic rivals’ footsteps by reaching the League Phase.
Score prediction: Hapoel Be’er Sheva 1-1 Sabah
